The floor is made of earth

All archaic cultures seem to have had earthen floors in their living and public spaces. In Lithuania it was and still is called asla. Speaking of historical times that can be analyzed and evaluated, it should be emphasized that it was an exceptionally functional solution to improve the quality of life, using minimal effort and resources. Even very thin molluscs were used for the aslas, and the fat clay was mixed with sand, gravel and even simple earth, enriching it with a lot of organic additives, which are mentioned in folk folklore. And everything - from the closest possible places, if it was not there. Escaping from the Lithuanian context for a moment, we would like to mention that in other countries, earthen floors were also constructed using local resources, and it is not always molasses, but, for example: tuffs (Japan - Tataki technology) or cal - flint (Morocco and North Africa - Tadelakt technology) etc.

Now the clay donkey carries another message

20th century in the beginning, a clay floor - clay ash - spoke of poverty, because such floors were potholed from walking, constantly present and requiring daily or even more serious maintenance. An effort was made to install wooden floors in the main space of the house, because it is easier to maintain cleanliness and order on them , and the space acquired a different aesthetic and social status. A number of Lithuanian single-family houses with this status also reached the 20th century. the end The author of this article had to spend his childhood summers in one of these, in Aukštaitija, PaUtenas region.

 

Today, clay ash smells like luxury, but it also speaks of awareness. Already in this century, the reborn clay floors carry a different message about their owner. With such a wide selection of floor coverings, clay

asla has become a symbol not only of luxury, but also of awareness. And the floor itself - asla - has changed beyond recognition. They are smooth, strong, beautiful and often difficult to describe. This is a real blessing for bare feet. In addition, the modern clay mold is formed not by economic, but by artistic and high biotechnological principles. Each of them is unique, because it is created taking into account the architecture, context, customers' vision and needs. In fashion terms, it is and will remain a couture .

 

Installation of a clay ass

And yet, how is modern hazel created, and why is it so hard to resist its charm? Most of the time, modern clay asla is created on a concrete surface, which is equipped with an underfloor heating system. Even before pouring concrete, the thickness of the future clay layer is recorded. It is usually 16-20 mm. The layer is relatively small, but it accommodates 4-5 layers of different clay mixtures. The first - basic - is a mixture of clay-gravel and functional natural additives, which makes up the lion's share (about 13-15 mm). An electric heating grid can also be installed in it, if there is no heating system. Other mixtures, as I call them, are cultural. They are made of white, porcelain clay and marble sand. The closer to the end, the finer the sand, and the last layer is polished using a metal Venetian-type grinder.

After the clay ash is completely dry, it is moved to the next, also very important stage - its impregnation with oils and beautification with mixtures of wax, oils and natural resins. This is done in accordance with the technology, with certain breaks. Oils absorb better when warmed in safe containers. The principle is as follows: the more oil we put in the clay ass, the more resistant it becomes to mechanical and other effects. When planning the work, you need to consider that it takes about 2 months from the start of the work to the installation of the furniture.

Clay donkey care

In the beginning, for about half a year, while the coating matures, the floor needs to be protected more. After the ripening period, such a coating becomes more resistant to mechanical effects. Although ash can sometimes look like marble or stone, unfortunately it does not have such high resistance. For people who like comparisons, it can be said that the impact resistance is equivalent to a softwood floor with a plus.

 

The feeling of walking and a great view are often in priority positions, because if damage occurs due to dropped heavy objects, they can be repaired, sometimes imperceptibly. Periodic maintenance is the same as for oiled or waxed wooden floors.

 

What colors, textures and room types?

Nowadays, the possibilities of forming a clay ass are very wide. To add color, mineral or earth pigments are used, which are resistant to UV rays and give honey harmonious shades. Drawings on clay asla are also a common phenomenon, they are created after the last layer of asla has completely dried. Paints for drawings are prepared from mineral or earth pigments, water and natural additives. The texture and stylistics of the clay donkey depend on the craftsman and his choice of materials or ready-made products or his own ingenuity. Nowadays, when restoring old homesteads, a frequent customer wants an authentic rural donkey image, but with excellent operational properties, ie that they can be washed and do not crumble, and the colors are earthy. Two or three layers of clay mixtures are usually enough to make such a rustic style. Light, gray and even white shades dominate the modern interior more often. White clay asla is a real challenge for the craftsman. After receiving such an order from the creative house of original architecture, the first white clay ash was born in Lithuania six years ago.

the teacher After a decade of practice and lessons of time, I would suggest choosing more sustainable materials in wet rooms, e.g. tiles or lime techniques such as Tadelakt or Marmu - rina . We have noticed that everything works perfectly and works well for those people who like to take care of and systematically maintain the surfaces of the floor, who wash them with special care products.

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In the beginning, for about half a year, while the coating matures, the floor of the donkey needs to be protected more.

 

Clay donkey care

In the beginning, for about half a year, while the coating matures, the floor needs to be protected more. After the ripening period, such a coating acquires greater resistance to mechanical effects. Although ash can sometimes look like marble or stone, unfortunately it does not have such high resistance. For people who like

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The feeling of walking and a great view are often in priority positions, because if damage occurs due to dropped heavy objects, they can be repaired, sometimes imperceptibly. Periodic maintenance is the same as for oiled or waxed wooden floors.

 

What colors, textures and room types?

Nowadays, the possibilities of forming a clay ass are very wide. To add color, mineral or earth pigments are used, which are resistant to UV rays and give honey harmonious shades. Drawings on clay ass are also a common sign of

etc.

 

Now the clay donkey carries another message

20th century in the beginning, a clay floor - clay ash - spoke of poverty, because such floors were potholed from walking, constantly present and requiring daily or even more serious maintenance. In the main space of the house, efforts are made to install wooden floors, because they are easier to support